Is Anime a undesirable influence?
The Oregon Daily Emerald posted an interesting editorial by Elon Glucklich, the paper's resident Opinion Editor. I say "exciting" because in the article, Glucklich raises the situation of the effects that anime shows have on our youth and makes some alarming allegations as to the future of our society.
Citing shows such as Dragon Ball Z, Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh!, Glucklich suggests that the mass recognition of these and other anime series are "chipping away at our collective moral fiber".
The reasoning behind such a statement is the content of the shows themselves, complaining that they lack any solid life lesson to be passed on to the kiddos. "Unless a thing is completed to reverse this trend, we're going to be searching at millions of high school dropouts who don't see the point in going to college unless it teaches them to capture magic crystals," he says.
But if we're going to go to that extreme with anime shows, then let's also take a trip back to the days of Tom & Jerry. Was there a life lesson there? Nope, not a one. What about Popeye and Brutus? Yogi Bear? The Flintstones, Woody Woodpecker or my all-time fav, The Wacky Racers? Hmm... entertainment and comedy, yes. Moral life lessons? No.
The truth is, tv has always been for the most component, an entertainment tool and not a babysitter, as Glucklich suggests. Certain, there are exceptions - Sesame Street, The Discovery Channel and Animal Planet are definitely excellent educational applications that come to thoughts, but again, they're the exception not the rule. Even today's prime time shows are willing to sacrifice education for entertainment and our personal news media will concentrate on Brittney's newest scandal just before they'll speak about Darfur. Not to say that I necessarily agree with all of it but I do have a selection: if I want to find out much more about Brad and Angelina, I'll keep tuned to the major media stations. Hunting for something with a bit far more substance? Effectively, then I know exactly where to uncover that data also.
Now, I know Mr. Glucklich is not alone in his assessment, just as there had been those who believed all rock music was satanic and Elvis' swinging pelvis was a threat decent young girls around the world. But they were wrong and, sorry Mr. Glucklich, so are you. To comply with this line of thinking is to assume that the American public (or any "public" for that matter) is devoid of any independent thinking and to place it nicely, as stupid as clams. This theory demands society to be painfully dumb and even far more naive, so significantly so that watch anime online free online we'll believe anything at all that's place in front tell us what you think of us, no matter how ridiculous, extraordinary or imaginary it may possibly be.
And I'll admit, I know a handful of folks that would fit that bill but I do not think its a fair stereotype to paint broadly across the board. We have usually had imaginary buddies, pretend play and a excellent dose of daydreaming. Its known as "creativity" and to be honest, I tend to encourage it in my youngsters. From our classic superheroes with other-worldly superpowers to Harry Potter, Star Wars and yes, even Dragon Ball Z, imagination is a great, effective point that (like Goku's Spirit Bomb) can be used for good or for evil.
The point is that anime, like any and each other tv show is not responsible for the "fiber" of our society, moral or otherwise. That responsibility falls to us, as parents, as individuals and as portion of the human race and personally, if we weren't usually so ready to play the victim so that we could blame our shortcomings on site a person else, we may actually have to stand up and be a greater "men and women" collectively - cartoons, anime and all.
As the anime guide, you can bet that my children see a ton of anime. In fact, we watch it with each other and just like any other television show, video games and other outside stimuli, I limit and supervise every little thing that goes into their little brains. That's how its supposed to be and I can assure you, my kids are undertaking just fine. Because regardless of the reality that they may possibly do it with magic crystals or hidden powers, characters in these shows remind us that its okay to be various and your strength comes from getting true to oneself. The very good guys always win in the end and evil is ultimately sent packing. They show us that you cannot often judge a book by its cover, no matter how different that cover may well be from your own and that it does not matter how little you consider you are - you really should usually stand up for what is proper, no matter how mean or corrupt the bully might be.
Come to think of it, those are some fairly great lessons to discover... even if they are from an anime show.
